In 2020, Jake started documenting his life from a full-time British Soldier to a van-living, thru-hiking nomad. When he's not exploring in his van, you might catch Jake 'cowboy camping' in sub-zero temperatures, biking, canoeing, or preparing for his next trail adventure, captured stylishly on video on his growing youtube channel. 

In 2024, Jake completed the epic thru-hike of Great Britain, famously known as LEJOG (Land's End to John o' Groats). Following the HiiKER: The Hiking Maps App 'End to End' trail, he hiked the entire length of Great Britain, starting near the rugged cliffs of Land's End in Cornwall, England, and concluding at John o' Groats in Scotland. 

Jake has also contributed to several blog posts, including 21 Gear Hacks for Thru-Hikers and Storing and Organising your Outdoor Gear. 

QUICK FIRE Q+A

How has spending time outdoors shaped your perspective on life or changed your mindset?

I don’t really remember a time where I wasn’t outside all weekend running though the woods, building camps and plinking targets with my air rifle… there wasn’t really much thought to school work, or anything outside of the next time I could burst out the front gates to freedom. My mind was set at a young age that I needed an ‘outdoorsy’ life, but what were my career prospects??

I joined the Army as early as I could! After 7 years (and an amazing time), it was time for a new challenge. My mind had moved in a direction where I wanted to experience the outdoors at my own pace…the difference being I was now equipped with the skills, resources, and direction to carve my own journey in the outdoors.

What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned about yourself through your outdoor adventures?

I've found that I thrive off the drive and buzz you receive when it’s 09.30 and you’re waving at some little ol' lady drinking her morning coffee on her back porch in some random little forgotten Welsh hamlet, having already got up, packed up camp and hiked 10 miles that day. It’s the sense of life that you don’t receive from the daily routines we live in.

Is there a place or trail that’s still on your bucket list? What makes it so special?

I really do have a diary with a long old list of trails edged in my BUCKET LIST…but there’s only one that puts a real lump in my throat and tears in my eye every time I utter its name. The Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT runs 2,650 Miles from the US - Mexico boarder to the US - Canadian boarder, through some of the least inhabited, most pristine wilderness left in the modern world. 

What’s one item you didn’t expect to rely on but now can’t imagine being without?

I think coming from a thru hiking prospective, I’d say my Farpointe Sun hoodie! They’re just such a versatile layer and I can’t imagine living on trail without one now!